Every July, I get a knot in my stomach when I see photos and video of the cyclists rolling through Iowa on RAGBRAI, jealous that I’m not riding along with them.

I always make excuses for why I can’t go: It’s too hot (or rainy), I’m not in good enough shape, I hate camping, I don’t have a speedy bike. My list of “why nots” is longer than the actual RAGBRAI route.

Yet for the ...